If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you’re probably
aware of the recent questions about risks and benefits of
hormone replacement therapy (HRT). These reports, along with new scientific
evidence, are leading some women and their healthcare practitioners to reconsider
the 2002 mandate to stay off of HRT. We hear this question again and again: “What’s
changed since the negative results of the Women’s Health Initiative?”

We're happy to say that researchers have been busy over the past few years, and
their findings give the medical world new perspective on the use of HRT for menopause
symptoms. The answers we now have are similar to what Women's Health Network has
been telling women all along — the decision to go on hormone replacement therapy
is individual, and the risks, benefits, and side effects differ depending on the
individual.

In the end, you can take comfort in the fact that there are several options for
menopause symptoms — and we’re here to help you understand them.

Want to get off HRT safely?

Consider our Program for getting off HRT. It’s uniquely tailored for women to minimize
side effects and symptoms during their transition off of hormone replacement therapy.
Learn more.

The Women’s Health Initiative results — then and now

Time has given researchers more perspective on the results that came out in 2002,
when women were warned that hormone replacement therapy leads to higher risks for
breast cancer, cardiovascular events, blood clots, cognitive decline, and more.
An extensive collection of data has been scrutinized and published, showing us that
timing and individual circumstance are key.

New studies suggest that women under 60 years old and within ten years of menopause
can benefit from HRT with much less risk (even with potential benefit) than older
women who are more than ten years away from menopause. The majority of the women
enrolled in the WHI study were older and much past menopause.

The most recent evidence on the use of hormones for menopause

Here’s an overview of how HRT may affect certain health issues:

Coronary heart disease. If HRT is initiated within ten
years of menopause or in women under 60, it may help reduce the incidence of coronary
heart disease. It appears that estrogen therapy alone delivers better results than
combined estrogen and progestin (any hormone that causes progesterone-like
effects.) But women with a uterus need a form of progesterone to “oppose” potential
risks of estrogen alone.

Cognitive health. The 2004 Women’s Health Initiative Memory
Study showed that initiating estrogen therapy or estrogen/synthetic progesterone
therapy in women over 65 had a negative effect on cognition — particularly if they
had already experienced some cognitive decline. But another study looking at women
between the ages of 50 and 63, showed that those on hormone therapy had a lower
risk of Alzheimer’s disease than those that weren’t.

Cholesterol and triglycerides. In 1997, the Postmenopausal
Estrogen Progestin Intervention trial showed that women aged 45–60 on Premarin alone
or Premarin and natural progesterone had significant increases in “good”
cholesterol, compared to those receiving Premarin with a synthetic progestogen
(Prempro). Now, we also have evidence that bioidentical estradiol delivered across
the skin reduces triglycerides, rather than increasing triglycerides as pill forms
(synthetic and bioidentical) do.

Blood clots. Estrogen has long been known to increase
blood clotting. A recent study showed that the lowest risk comes with using natural
progesterone and the highest comes with synthetic progestogens. Estrogen, on the
other hand, if given transdermally (across the skin), comes with no increased risk
of blood clots.

Breast health. The relationship between HRT and breast
cancer risk continues to be the subject of intense debate. Close scrutiny of data
on women in the WHI who were ages 50–59 who had undergone hysterectomy reveals that
estrogen therapy alone did not increase their risk of breast cancer. However, women
of that same age group who had not undergone hysterectomy and who took estrogen
with a synthetic progesterone did.

A recent large study in France following over 80,000 women observed a much lower
risk of breast cancer when they used estrogen combined with bioidentical (natural)
progesterone than nonbioidentical progesterone — as long as they used it
for less than about six years. But for users of estrogen alone, compared to “never-users”
of HRT, the researchers noted a significantly increased risk of breast cancer.

In the end, making generalizations about HRT and breast cancer risk is not a
good idea; the number of variables keeps increasing and the field is changing daily!

Although the new research is promising, one limitation is that much of it still
looks only at synthetic progesterones and equine estrogens (estrogens derived from
a pregnant horse). These hormone forms are molecularly different from the hormones
we make in our bodies, so drug companies can patent them.

Bioidentical hormones, on the other hand — those that
have the same molecular structure as those made in our bodies — are becoming more
popular. We’ve always supported the use of bioidentical
hormones because we feel they are gentler on the system than synthetics,
and a significant and growing body of research is now bearing this out.

Above all, hormone therapy, synthetic or bioidentical, is not the right
choice for every woman — because we all have our own unique set of circumstances.
Each HRT case should be evaluated individually so women can make informed decisions
about starting or continuing bio-HRT on her own terms. We generally recommend women
stay on hormones for fewer than five to seven years.

Risks and benefits of HRT — individuality is central

Do the benefits outweigh the risks for you?

Consider these questions while making your decision about HRT:

Are you less than 60 years old?

Are you close to menopause and still having symptoms?

Does your personal or family medical history include breast cancer, endometrial
cancer, ovarian cancer, or liver disease?

Is your quality of life being seriously compromised by your symptoms?

Researchers tell us that the risk
profile for hormone replacement therapy goes down in women under 60, women less
than ten years from menopause, and women who don’t have a history of breast cancer,
endometrial cancer, or liver disease.

Taking a look at whether or not your hormones are still fluctuating is also an important
consideration. It is safer to introduce HRT when hormones haven’t tapered off yet.
This way, your estrogen and progesterone receptors are still active.

Each woman has a different set of circumstances that determine her personal
risk, but based on the new evidence, the safety of HRT is enhanced if the following
guidelines are met:

It is given to younger women (under 60), who are close to menopause and whose hormones
are still fluctuating.

The woman does not have a history of breast, ovarian or endometrial cancer, or liver
disease.

The woman uses bioidentical hormones as opposed to synthetic HRT.

The woman uses transdermal, transvaginal, sublingual, or “melt” forms of HRT instead
of pills that need to be swallowed.

Hormone replacement therapy doesn’t go on for more than five to seven years.

For a broader discussion of risks, read our perspective on the risks of HRT.

Phytotherapy: a safe and effective alternative

For a natural approach
Try Herbal Equilibrium

We formulated Herbal Equilibrium with herbs like Black Cohosh, Red Clover, Passionflower,
and more to help with the most common menopausal symptoms. We’ve found that 85%
of women can find relief from a plant-based product like Herbal Equilibrium.

Many of the women who were on hormone therapy in the past were instructed by their
practitioners to get off of it. Now, as their bodies have gone for some time without
replacement hormones, it’s not a great time for these women to start up again —
even though their symptoms are still bothering them. A safe and effective option
for these women, and for those who just don’t feel comfortable with HRT, is phytotherapy.

Phytotherapy is the use of plants for healing purposes. Herbs like Black
Cohosh, Red Clover, Passionflower, and many others are wonderful alternatives for
menopause treatment because they work with your endocrine system to ease symptoms
instead of the “sledgehammer effect” pharmaceutical drugs often provide.

Herbs offer a gentler approach to menopause symptoms, which means there’s less risk
to you than taking a hormone. Though using herbs for menopause may not provide enough
relief for some, we’ve found that 85% of women can find relief from a plant-based
product like our Herbal Equilibrium.

Your options for menopause symptom relief

The media can often make it seem like we have limited options when it comes to our
health, but if we’re willing to adopt a more holistic approach, the options are
endless. Here are just some of the treatment options available.

Diet and lifestyle changes. Diet and lifestyle play a
large role in exacerbating menopause symptoms. For some women, adding more protein,
high-quality fats, and fresh fruits and vegetables, while limiting refined carbohydrates,
sugar, gluten, and highly processed foods can make a world of difference. You may
also want to consider supplementing with a quality multivitamin like the one we
offer in our Health Programs.

Phytotherapy. Soy, Black Cohosh, Red Clover, Ashwagandha,
Wild Yam, and other botanicals can offer satisfying relief from menopause symptoms.
You can explore our Herbal Equilibrium, which provides a safe and effective combination
of herbs for gentle endocrine support and menopause symptom relief.

Bioidentical HRT (bHRT). Bioidentical HRT consists of
hormones made in a lab, primarily from Wild Yam and soy, that are identical to the
hormones your own body produces. Bioidentical hormones are available through compounding
pharmacies by prescription. For more on how to choose the right bioidentical hormones
for you, see our guide to bioHRT options.

Synthetic HRT. Hormone replacement therapy drugs like
Premarin and Prempro are the drugs studied in the original Women’s
Health Initiative. Premarin is made from the urine of a pregnant horse, while Prempro
combines Premarin and a synthetic progestogen. There are also synthetic forms of
testosterone. We feel most comfortable with bioidentical HRT, but understand that
there are cases where synthetic hormones are a viable choice.

Your body, your choice

Only you can decide what is best for your body. Menopause can be a confusing time,
a time when it’s difficult to make decisions (especially if you haven’t slept well
in weeks!). But know that there is an option out there for you — and it’s okay to
take your time in deciding. We have some customers who don’t mind enduring the symptoms
as long as they know there will be an end to them in good time. Others simply can’t
perform their day-to-day activities without some relief from their symptoms. Look
inside to make your decision, and don’t ever be afraid to ask questions!

100% satisfaction guarantee — we guarantee
you will be fully satisfied and feel the way you want to feel. If you don’t,
just let us know within 60 days after the purchase of a Program or product and you’ll
receive a prompt refund of your purchase price, minus shipping and handling, when
we receive the product back, even if you’ve taken all the supplements.

No obligation — There is never any purchase
commitment, even if you join our convenient automatic resupply program. You may
cancel at any time by calling us at 1-800-448-4919.

Customer service done right — We have real
women available to answer your calls and e-mails. Plus a great online interface
where you can control almost every aspect of your relationship with us.

Your health and happiness are our mission. If you have suggestions about how we
might improve what we do — with our products and programs, in serving you,
or on our website — please e-mail us at support@womenshealthnetwork.com. If
you want to find out more about our approach, please call us at 1-800-448-4919.
We’re here to listen and help.